Getting Ready for the Met Gala with Keri Russell and Joseph Altuzarra

The Met Gala, in all of its glamorous glory, can be an intimidating prospect—even for an actress who’s hit a few red carpets in her time. “I came into this experience as a complete novice, having never been to the Met Gala before and not claiming to know that much about fashion,” said Keri Russell, who worked with Joseph Altuzarra and her friend Frank Fleming (a costume designer for film) on a custom feathered confection for the Chinese-influenced big event. “I was very inspired by Marlene Dietrich’s feather costume in Shanghai Express,” explained Altuzarra, “It feels to me like a perfect example of how Hollywood translated China’s aura.”

And while Russell’s personal style skews more towards “tailored, masculine, and simple silhouettes,” it didn’t take long to get her into the frock. “The chance to wear one of Joseph’s gowns was an incredible honor and moment of such amazingly wild glamour,” said the actress. “I just let Joseph do what he does—he was so gracious, easy, and collaborative through the whole process. Getting to watch him create not just a beautiful gown to wear, but art—for this one night, one moment—was really cool . . . The feathers he found, the color, and the way they sort of bend and bleed into other colors, was exquisite,” said Russell. “I knew he was making something special—art.” Looks like they’re in the right place.